5am starts are tough

The last two days I have been trying to just take it easy, hang out at home, maybe make some nice dinners? watch some crappy television? Sounds good right? Apparently my sub conscious Amanda has other plans... like hey, heres a great idea, lets wake her up every morning at 5am on the dot, lets fill her head with chatter, worries and stupid thoughts at 100miles a minute. Basically, lets....START PANICKING!! Oh and did i mention its only 1 more week to go? 7 DAYS!!

I do feel like I am almost organised, just a little further to go.

- return flight home

- travel insurance

- pack bag

- print off like a million documents

- BUY VEGIMITE

Then I am done.

Only 8 sleeps to go!!

Ikebana Australiana!!

In only 8 short days, I will be in Tokyo.

Trying desperately to navigate octopus like subway lines, scoffing myself stupid with sashimi and karrage (pretty much like a japanese version of kfc but a million bazillion times better), waiting patiently for the cherry blossoms to bloom, fumbling horribly with a foreign language (giving it a lovely Aussie twang), and most importantly taking classes in the honoured tradition of Japanese floristry; Ikebana.

Its all very exciting yet terrifying at the same time. I still have a few more things to organise (my flight home...) and the planning levels are off the bloody charts, but I am nearly ready. Its been a long time coming and to think that these 'hair brain' schemes of mine are actually coming to be a reality are mind blowing to say the least. I have always had a love for Japan and obsessed with my glass blowing and wanted to somehow combine the two, and now here we are. Nothing short of amazing. I thought before I take off I would take the time off to explain the project (for you and me both!). So here we go...

My sister is a florist and I am a glassblower. I have always thought there is the perfect project out there for us to work together on. Studying Ikebana together to then translate these learnings into vessels for Australian natives is our ultimate goal. We our looking to explore the parallels between Ikebana and our own design aesthetics. For me personally, I am excited to gain insight into a whole new set of design ideals which I hope will inturn contribute and strengthen my own skills as a designer and maker.

Much like glass blowing, Ikebana uses harmony of linear construction, rythmn and colour to create arrangements. I feel there are sililarities to explore and expand on which could lead to exciting new works. I have lined up a SALA show for August this year. I am going to make Ikebana vessels and work together with an Adelaide florist, Chill Flowers to create a window installation for the Adelaide South Australian Living Artist festival. I am then hoping to tour the show to Melbourne.

So how the flip are we going to do this? We will take weekly lessons at Sogetsu school of Ikebana. So how about some images already?!! Below are a couple of Ikebana installation pieces which are blowin my mind! Not just pretty flowers in a vase right?

Crankasaurus

This little one looks like how i felt yesterday...

Holy Shitballs! Check this out!!

WOAH!!! CHECK ME OUT! I'M OVER AT CRAFT VICTORIA'S BLOG, CLOG!!!!

The lovely Kim, of Craft Victoria is doing a mini feature on me as I am very happy to announce that I am now a new stockist of Craft Victoria.

I am more than a little excited!! So excited in fact that I just had to tell you all about it!! Take a gander, tell me what you think. (I only realised how messy my studio looks....) (who am i kidding, is.)

Craft Vic are kindly stocking my new range; 'Colour Pots'. I wish them well on their maiden voyage!

http://craft-victoria.blogspot.com/

Little Bird BIG City!

Lean in close my little birds because I have some big news for you...BIG news. John Candy (god rest his soul) big.

I am going to Japan!!

Ow yeah! Konichiwa Japanese Little birds! I am super excited to be able to announce to you that in March this year I will be traveling to Tokyo to undertake a research residency into the honoured tradition of Ikebana, Japanese floristry. My plan is to compile research for an Australian native Ikebana range. Proteas, warratahs maybe some banksias? Who knows? Its all very exciting!

I am both excited an terrified. Living in Tokyo for two whole months....gulp. I'm sure it will be fine, how hard can it be...HAVE YOU SEEN THE TOKYO SUBWAY MAP?!! ITS LIKE 20 OCTOPUS ON ACID!! But on the up side you can buy beer from a vending machine, so hey maybe if i just slug one of those before I attempt to decipher the trains everything will turn out swell.....

I am now trying to line up a sala show to display some of these new works I will create when i get home. I am thinking of more of an installation based show using the ikebana vessels, but early days yet, lets just get there right?

Now, where did I put that passport?.....

Grand opening!

Come on down! Pull out that party frock from the closet, hunt down those sparkly heels, maybe pop on some lippy? dust off that dashing suit (worn last at nanna's 70th down the rsl) and get your little caboose down to Electra House! Tonight! Preview! Grand opening, come revel in 'Florence's' beauty. And why not do so whilst enjoying an icy cider/beer at the newly installed Tuxedo Cat bar? You won't be disappointed I guarantee it! Just wait till you get your bevarage served from the caravan....

The details.....

7:30pm grand opening of Florence

@ Electra House 131 King William Street

Feb 17th

Seeya there!

Meet Florence

But first lets have a coffee.... ahh delicious.

Now today is the day for installation. First we hijack the board room and start sorting colours.

Next each piece has to be screwed into its length. It's a two man job, trust me..

We are the two men! Meet Jaan, twirly in guy extrodinaire.

Now meet Dani, head tape lady and all round good guy at stuff. Each piece must be carefully balanced off of each other.

Meet Jess, head packer and later scaler of great heights and attacher of cables.

As you can imagine we need fuel for such a big job. Burger time. Burgers all round. Viva la West Side!

Mmmmmmmm......

After everything is assembled we moved her to Electra House and began the install.

We don't pack light....

The cables go up and the armature can be hung.

She lives!

Each piece balances from its family. It really is quite beautiful. Florence has a quiet elegance to her and really must be seen to be believed. Why don't you come down to say cheerio and enjoy a pimms at the bar? Opening night is this Thursday from 6-8pm. Hope to see you all there.